Philip A. Peterson – 2011 Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award

At a recent meeting of the Third District Bar, White Peterson shareholder Philip A. Peterson was awarded the 2011 Professionalism Award from the Idaho State Bar. The Professionalism Award is an expression of respect, commendation and appreciation from the recipient’s peers. It is one of the highest honors Idaho lawyers can receive during their careers.

Honorees are lawyers who have a reputation for civility, ability, diligence, integrity, courtesy and cooperation – epitomizing what it means to be a first-class attorney. Attorneys who exhibit these qualities have distinguished the profession through their conduct and service.

Phil is Past President and current Treasurer for the Southwest Idaho Estate Planning Council and is a regular speaker for the Biennial Idaho Forest Taxation & Estate Planning Conference. He is a current member of the Idaho State Bar Taxation, Probate and Trust Law Section and has also served for years as an Idaho Bar exam grader.

In addition to his law firm practice, he has been active in voluntary community work for over 25 years. Among his community activities are: Nampa Kiwanis Club; Canyon Area United Way; Boise Philharmonic Association; University of Idaho Alumni Association; Parkview School Building Advisory Team; Nampa Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Steering Committee. Phil was recently presented the 2011 A+ Friend of Education Award by the Idaho Education Association for volunteer work with the Nampa School District Early Childhood Learning Center at Lakeridge School.

Commenting on the Award, Phil wrote: I view professionalism in the legal profession as a combination of technical competence, personal integrity, appropriate advocacy and concern for clients’ best interests, ‘bedside manner’ with clients, and respectful courtesy towards other members of the bar. In my experience the late Allyn Dingel and Albert Menard, together with contemporaries Donald Burnett, Edward Ahrens, Stephen Pruss, William Wellman, Carl Hamilton, and William Morrow, have particularly exemplified in their various practices, these attributes.

Phil is the fourth member of the firm to receive this prestigious award.